Aditi Joshi
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Fish farming, also known as aquaculture or fisheries, is a major source of livelihood in Assam. With its abundant water resources and conducive climate, Assam is emerging as a vital player in India's fish farming industry. Fish farms in Assam today are a manifestation of tradition and innovation. Let us understand the current state and potential of fish farming in Assam better. The blog delves deep into -
Assam, located in the northeastern part of India, has more than 2.80 lakhs hectares of water area with its numerous rivers, ponds, tanks, beels and wetlands. This makes it an ideal region for fish farming. Brahmaputra and Barak are the two major rivers that flow through Assam with its 53 tributaries.
The local demand is also conducive to aquaculture with per-capita fish consumption rates being 16.52 kg in rural areas and 15.84 kg in urban areas per year. On an average, every fish farmer holds approximately 2 bigha or 1.23 acres of pond.
The main seasons for fish farming are March to April and December to February.The fish market demand is 5.85 million Metric Tonne and the current production 4.17 million Metric Tonne. This signifies the potential of growth for the fish farming industry in the region if they are enabled with the right resources.
The major fish farming practices include hatchery, mono, composite, paddy cum fish and biofloc. Let us understand the practices in more detail.
Hatchery
Hatcheries are essential parts of fish farms - like nurseries where fish eggs are hatched and nurtured before being transferred to larger ponds. These setups often have smaller, controlled tanks or ponds with optimal conditions for breeding like clean water and right temperature. The people who work at the hatchery make sure baby fishes have enough food and a safe environment to grow. This allows the eggs to grow into healthy fish.
The growth stages of the fishes in a hatchery are as follows:
Mono fish culture
In the monoculture fish farming system, only one variety of fish is cultivated, often referred to as traditional fish farming. Profitability in this farming system is typically very low. Mono fish culture is characterized by:
High Growth but low production
Pond is not optimally used.
Wastage of Feed
Composite Fish Farming
It is a method to culture five or six species, both indigenous and exotic, together in a single fish pond. In Assam, the species that are predominantly bred are Common Carp (25%), Grass Carp (20%), Catla (20%), Rohu(15%), Mrigal(15%) and Silver Carp(5%) on an average in a 1 bigha pond.
Paddy cum Fish Culture
Integrated Paddy-cum-Fish Culture is a system of producing fish in combination with paddy cultivation using the same resources in the same unit area. In Assam, Grass Carp is bred in the paddy farms.
Beel Fishery
Floodplain wetlands and discarded meandering river courses, locally known as Beels, constitute important inland fishery resources in Assam. It mainly grows local or indigenous fish like Local Magur, Singi, Puthi, Mowa and Barali. Beels are large commons and the major holding here is by community or cooperative societies, mainly Supported by FishFed, Assam.
Fish need quality feed to grow. Only good growth and high survival rate can guarantee good returns for the fish farmers. The traditional fish feed includes rice bran, grass, banana leaf and Mahua Oil Cake. Commercial fish feed has mesh, sinking and floating. Fertilizers include urea, SSP, DAP, etc. Medicine includes lime, potash, zeolite, toximar, liver plus, fishmin SP, Phyto Plus, etc. The fish production is currently only 1/3rd of the total requirement in the region and quality feed can solve this problem. Quality feed is imperative in improving and increasing the fish production that helps garnering profits for the fish farmers.
Value added products from fish are ready to cook or eat products. The demand for these products is mainly in the urban area. Besides the profitable utilization of low valued fish, it can fulfill the consumers' demands of convenient foods with quality assurance and longer shelf life. The dry fish or the dry fish powder are major products made from fish. Pickles, sidols, etc are other value added products.
For a 1 bigha pond:
Initial Investment needed - Total: Rs. 42,000
This includes -
Fish seed: Rs. 14,000, Feed: Rs. 22,000, Fertilizers: Rs. 3,000, Other Medicines: Rs. 3,000 Production & Revenue Projection - Estimated Fish Production: 500 quintals Average rate of fish : Rs. 170 per kg Total Revenue : Rs. 85,000 Profit : Rs. 43,000 Credit/Investment Requirement : Rs. 42,000 per Bigha
The involved costs and the projected revenue make it clear that fish farming can be very lucrative for fish farmers as a livelihood option.
Despite its potential, fish farming in Assam faces several challenges:
Infrastructure: Many fish farmers in Assam lack access to genetically improved quality feed, modern equipment and technology, which can hinder productivity and efficiency. Commercial feed is also overpriced and not affordable to the fish farmers.
Need for Credit : Timely credit can help fish farmers buy quality feed, fertilizers, equipment necessary in the season to increase mortality and growth of the fish by adopting best practices in aquaculture.
Disease Management: Fish diseases can devastate fish populations and lead to significant economic losses. The mortality rates currently are only 25-40% which is considered very low. Disease and stunted growth of fish during winter also remains a major challenge. Effective disease management strategies are crucial for the industry's sustainability.
Marketing : Transportation and logistics to cater to the customer base across the region is scarce or unavailable leading to major loss. Supply chain management is a challenge in the region.
Environmental Concerns: Floods and draughts can cause major loss to the fish farmers. Excess antibiotics and chemicals dumped in the water can harm the environment and impact the health of aquatic ecosystems.
The future of fish farming in Assam looks promising. With increasing investments in technology, infrastructure, and research, the industry is set to grow further. Some of the things that could improve fish farming in Assam are:
Government Initiatives: Focus on Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and various state-level programs can modernize and develop the sector through financial assistance, infrastructure development, and training programs.
Access to credit : Timely access to affordable credit can enable fish farmers to ensure fish mortality, survival and growth.
Quality Seed Bank to ensure quality yield
Better transportation and market linkages : Better access to market will ensure selling produce in time
Knowledge and awareness : There is a need for better training and education programs to equip farmers with the knowledge and skills required to adopt best practices in aquaculture.
Focus on cultivation of indigenous and local varieties : Cultivation of GI breeds like Amur carp, Improved Catla, jayanti Rohu will ensure low mortality rate and high growth.
Fish farming in Assam holds immense potential to boost the state's economy, ensure food security, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. With the right support and investments, the industry can overcome its challenges and thrive, contributing to the well-being of millions and the state's growth.
As part of Rang De’s Xamahar Project in Assam, we collaborated closely with Gohpur Fisheries and Axomagro Farmer Producer Company (FPC). Through this partnership, we successfully disbursed over Rs.35.8 lakh in credit. The social investments could enable more than 71 fish farmers, including 19 women.
Invest in boosting aquaculture, changing the landscape of the future of food and the fish farmers in Assam. Visit www.rangde.in , create impact and get repaid with interest!
